HOW TO PREPARE VATAPA.

Vatapá is a delicious and creamy Brazilian dish, typically made from bread, shrimp, finely ground peanuts, and palm oil mashed into a paste. Here’s a basic recipe for Vatapá:

Ingredients:

500g of shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 cup of dried shrimp (optional)
5 slices of stale bread (crust removed)
1 can of coconut milk (about 400 ml)
2 tablespoons of palm oil (dendê oil)
1 onion (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (chopped)
1 bell pepper (chopped, preferably red)
1/2 cup of roasted peanuts
1/2 cup of cashews
1 bunch of fresh coriander (chopped)
1 bunch of green onions (chopped)
2 tablespoons of tomato paste or 2 ripe tomatoes (chopped)
1-2 hot peppers (or to taste, depending on your preference for heat)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup of water or fish broth
Instructions:

Bread Soaking: Soak the bread slices in the coconut milk until they are soft. Set aside.

Nut Paste: In a blender or food processor, blend the roasted peanuts and cashews into a smooth paste. If necessary, you can add a little water to help blend them.

Dried Shrimp Preparation (if using): Rinse the dried shrimp briefly in cold water. Then, in a food processor or blender, pulse them until they’re finely ground.

Sauté: In a large pot, heat the palm oil (dendê oil) over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper, and sauté until the onion is translucent.

Shrimp: Add the fresh shrimp to the pot and sauté for a couple of minutes until they start to turn pink. If you’re using dried shrimp, add them now as well.

Bread Mixture: Add the soaked bread and coconut milk mixture to the pot. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.

Other Ingredients: Add the nut paste, tomato paste or chopped tomatoes, hot peppers, and about a cup of water or fish broth to the pot. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens.

Seasoning: Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Final Touches: Stir in the chopped coriander and green onions. Cook for a couple more minutes, then remove from heat.

Serve: Vatapá is traditionally served with rice and can also be accompanied by acarajé (black-eyed pea fritters) or simply enjoyed on its own.

Enjoy your homemade Vatapá!